Piano Dilemma (XL 2.2)

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mark4man

mark4man

MoonMix Studios
Please forgive this question, as I haven't visited this part of the program since my SoundBlaster days...

...but, 1) Is there a way to access my Instrument Definitions (for various mfg.'s/gear) in one of the existing Soft Synths, like the Edirol?

My existing sound module (Roland JV-1010) is about to give up the ghost; & I need access to quality piano sounds fast.

2) Or...can someone recommend a Soft Synth on the market with excellent piano sounds?

Thanks,

mark4man

BTW - 3) If I had to go with another module...who has the best piano sounds, Korg, Roland or Yamaha? Thanks again.
 
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mark4man said:
Please forgive this question, as I haven't visited this part of the program since my SoundBlaster days...
Click to expand...

I forgive you, my child... Promise me you won't do it again... :p :D


mark4man said:
1) Is there a way to access my Instrument Definitions (for various mfg.'s/gear) in one of the existing Soft Synths, like the Edirol?
Click to expand...

You mean importing patch names from instrument/sampler/soft synth to Sonar as .ins file? Then no. I'm sorry, but it's not possible. You must write the deffinition yourself. You can write it within Sonar's Inst. Def. panel, or with Notepad. OR, if you're lucky, you can find some on internet...

Just remember, inst def has nothing to do with the process of generating sound. They only hold bank/patch names of diffrent instrument you use, to make Cakewalk "recognize" the instrument's patches. So it's easier for you to explore bank/patch on the instrument that way... :)

mark4man said:
My existing sound module (Roland JV-1010) is about to give up the ghost; & I need access to quality piano sounds fast.

Can someone recommend a Soft Synth on the market with excellent piano sounds?

Thanks,

mark4man

BTW - 3) If I had to go with another module...who has the best piano sounds, Korg, Roland or Yamaha? Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Well, it deppends on how do you define "Good Piano Sound". What character are you looking for? Grand? Honky tonk? Electric Piano? For example, sometime, chessy GM Piano on Edirol GS softsynth is all we need within mixing context. Sometime, we need something serious like Garitan sample. On these days, I wouldn't spend that much on Piano sound module since I'm usualy happy with nowdays samples. Even soundfonts are alot better now.

Here's my quick pick...

For soundfonts, try NS Piano, WST25FStein Piano, Piano42, SCC1A Grand piano, etc. Just do some google on Piano Soundfonts.

For samples, I love GigaPiano (the CD came bundled with Terratec EWX2496), PL1 Grand VSampler format (On Sonar 3 CD), Sonido, and Garitan Personal (Ultimate Piano Collection).

For softsynth, Edirol Orchestral also has several exelent piano sound.

For sound module, IMHO, Roland has better piano sound than Korg and Yamaha (I've heard Korg and Yamaha shared same tech/chips). Watch another brand like Kurzweil for sure!

Well, I haven't tried everything in the world, so YMMV. I'm sure people here got some more info :)

;)
Jaymz
 
Thanks everybody...

Well, I feel silly now. Soundfonts? Didn't it used to be that the audio interface had to be soundfont compliant...or was it just that sound cards like the SoundBlaster had those cheapo EMU onboard MIDI synths which played the soundfonts?

So now, the Soft Synths play the soundfonts?

(I'm really lost today...too much of that naturally occuring chemical in turkey that causes sleepiness.)

Jaymz,

Well, it deppends on how do you define "Good Piano Sound". What character are you looking for?
Click to expand...
An all-around bank of varied pianos...all of good sound quality.


Watch another brand like Kurzweil for sure!
Click to expand...
You're saying they're good, right?

Also; on the Edirol Orchestral...that's a soft synth on its own, or a bank that can play on the VSC?

Thanks again,

mark4man
 
Yes, Kurzweil are good :) Though I never own myself one, alot frined o' mine piano styled player got crazy over it. But again, it deppends on taste.

Creative could have produced -not so great- card, but their soundfonts technology is awesome! You can use Livesynth Pro (bundled with Sonar 2) to play it, or even better with VSampler3 in newer Sonar.

Edirol Orchestra is DXi / VSTi softsynth. So, it's not actualy stand alone.

I think Piano (just like drums) is something you cannot find all in single softsynth. For example, Edirol Orchestral might have good grand piano, but I don't make a good use of EP or Honky tonk.

Still I think it's better to try soundfonts, since you can find many of them (hi quality) free on the net. Hey, maybe you can get a little help of people in Keyboard / synth forum up there.

;)
Jaymz
 
James Argo said:
You can use Livesynth Pro (bundled with Sonar 2) to play it, or even better with VSampler3 in newer Sonar.
Click to expand...

James - I think the LSP that was bundled with Sonar 2 was a 30-day demo. You had to buy the product after the demo ran out - which, of course, you can't do anymore since they are out of business.
 
Well, there's plenty of SounFont-players in VST-format, which work beautifully with Sonar (it has a VST-wrapper, remember?).

Just do a Google-search for vst soundfont, or something like that. :)
 
Yeah, Stormy Monday was right... ;) It's 30 days demo... :p It's time to try moskus' way (Get a hammer, smash your SB card!, and get VST Soundfonts) or my way (Put the damn SB Live! card back to it's slot...) :D

;)
Jaymz
 
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